The move has been called a grave violation of freedom of expression Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he will not renew the licence for the country's second largest TV channel which he says expires in March 2007. In an address to troops, Mr Chavez said he would not tolerate media outlets working towards a coup against him. Radio Caracas Television, which is aligned with the opposition, supported a strike against Mr Chavez in 2003. But the TV's head said there must be some mistake as its licence was not up for renewal in the near future. Marcel Granier also vowed to fight against the president's plans in Venezuela's courts and on the international stage. The BBC's Greg Morsbach in Caracas says Mr Chavez has repeatedly threatened to take the TV off the air but has never given a date. There will be no new operating licence for this coupist TV channel - the measure has been drafted so go turn off the equipment Hugo Chavez The move could help silence some of his critics in the media who have been a thorn in his side for several years, he says. Mr Chavez, who was returned to power by a wide margin on 3 December, said Mr Granier was mistaken in believing "that concession is eternal". "It runs out in March. So it's better that you go and prepare your suitcase and look around for what you're going to do in March," he said during a televised speech to soldiers at a military academy in Caracas. "There will be no new operating licence for this coupist TV channel called RCTV. The operating licence is over... So go and turn off the equipment," Mr Chavez said. 'Violation of freedom'
more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6215815.stm
He plans to take the country socialist / communist.. I wonder how long Uncle Sam will stand for that before Chavez commits suicide by stabbing himself in the back 12 times and throwing himself off a bridge?
A pro-Chavez member of parliament, Carlos Escarra, told the BBC he has been appointed personally by Mr Chavez to prepare sweeping reforms of the nation's constitution. Mr Escarra, who is now part of a presidential commission on constitutional reform, said: "One of the proposals is to change the name of our country from Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Socialist and Bolivarian Republic".
more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6212430.stm
more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6215815.stm
He plans to take the country socialist / communist.. I wonder how long Uncle Sam will stand for that before Chavez commits suicide by stabbing himself in the back 12 times and throwing himself off a bridge?
A pro-Chavez member of parliament, Carlos Escarra, told the BBC he has been appointed personally by Mr Chavez to prepare sweeping reforms of the nation's constitution. Mr Escarra, who is now part of a presidential commission on constitutional reform, said: "One of the proposals is to change the name of our country from Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Socialist and Bolivarian Republic".
more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6212430.stm






